The Premier League has a proud tradition of featuring players who have risen to the elite level from the non-league game.
Long-standing investment provided by the Premier League reflects its continued commitment to helping the game at the levels beneath the EFL develop.
Initiatives such as the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF) and the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund (PLFAFF) have consistently helped in this way.
Most recently during the pandemic, 1,000 football clubs across 65 leagues in England and Wales, including women and girls' football, received more than £5m from the Premier League through the Matchday Support Fund, awarded through the FSIF.
See: League supporting economy and wider game during pandemic
The links between Premier League and non-league remain strong, as has the affection for grassroots football of those players, coaches and managers who have experienced life at all levels of the football pyramid.
Over the past few years, we have talked to players about how their valuable experience in non-league football has been on their journey to the Premier League.
From non-league to Premier League
Dan Burn (BHA) - Darlington
Chris Smalling (FUL/MUN) - Maidstone United
Ben Foster (WAT/MUN/BIR/WBA) - Racing Club Warwick
Ben Foster- Tiverton
Sam Clucas (SWA) - Hereford United
Jordan Pickford (SUN/EVE) - Alfreton Town
Craig Shakespeare (LEI) - Telford United
Steve Cook (BOU) - Eastleigh
Jamie Vardy (LEI) - Stocksbridge Park Steels, Halifax Town and Fleetwood Town
Glenn Murray (BHA) - Workington, Barrow and Carlisle
Chris Wilder (SHU) - Alfreton Town, Halifax Town and Oxford United
A non-league to Premier League XI of players
Elsewhere, Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool FC captain Jamie Carragher visited his local non-league club, Marine FC, to see how Premier League funding through the FSIF has helped them enjoy a brighter future.
FSIF funding has also played a crucial role in the young history of Scarborough Athletic, who have a new stand for their new ground thanks to Premier League funding.
Help in the communities
Premier League funding, via the National League Trust, also helps clubs below the top four divisions of the English football pyramid engage with their local communities.
We looked at three clubs building ties in their local areas thanks to our funding.
Part 1: Dartford projects reaching people of all ages
Part 2: Notts County and PL Kicks building resilience
Part 3: Wrexham girls thriving with Premier League funding
